Review: Make Swansboro’s waterfront accessible to all

The Waterfront Access Planning Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Board held a joint meeting Monday night to review the plans and to get comments from the public. The concepts presented by landscape architect Susan Hatchell of Raleigh are the first to come from the recommendations made by the committee last year with the completion of the Waterfront Access and Development Plan.

Daily News graphic

By JANNETTE PIPPIN Daily News Staff

Published: Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 12:11 PM.

SWANSBORO — Parks and Recreation board member Kathy Fulcher gave a good review to early concepts for improving waterfront access in downtown Swansboro from two perspectives.

From a personal perspective, she likes the improved handicap access plans that would provide for her and others who are in wheelchairs or may have disabilities making it difficult to get to locations to enjoy the water. As a board member, Fulcher said the plans would be of benefit for everyone, helping to connect public and pedestrian spaces and offering beautification and amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The conceptual plans proposed for the end of Church Street include a covered deck-overlook at the street end with an added walk along the bulkhead and plaza space in front of the shelter.

Fulcher said the end of Church Street is an active area of the waterfront, with shops, restaurants, and the town square and pavilion within reach. But getting down to the water by wheelchair is now a challenge.

She said the plans would open the view to the water and provide easy access to the water for everyone.

“It would be beautiful, and it would be accessible for everyone,” Fulcher said.

SWANSBORO — Parks and Recreation board member Kathy Fulcher gave a good review to early concepts for improving waterfront access in downtown Swansboro from two perspectives.

From a personal perspective, she likes the improved handicap access plans that would provide for her and others who are in wheelchairs or may have disabilities making it difficult to get to locations to enjoy the water. As a board member, Fulcher said the plans would be of benefit for everyone, helping to connect public and pedestrian spaces and offering beautification and amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The conceptual plans proposed for the end of Church Street include a covered deck-overlook at the street end with an added walk along the bulkhead and plaza space in front of the shelter.

Fulcher said the end of Church Street is an active area of the waterfront, with shops, restaurants, and the town square and pavilion within reach. But getting down to the water by wheelchair is now a challenge.

She said the plans would open the view to the water and provide easy access to the water for everyone.

“It would be beautiful, and it would be accessible for everyone,” Fulcher said.

The Waterfront Access Planning Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Board held a joint meeting Monday night to review the plans and to get comments from the public.

The concepts presented by landscape architect Susan Hatchell of Raleigh are the first to come from the recommendations made by the committee last year with the completion of the Waterfront Access and Development Plan.

Hatchell reviewed concepts for the street end at Church Street, as well as for improvements for Bicentennial Park and the Walnut Street end.

At both locations, a floating dock and kayak launch is proposed.

There was overall support for the ideas but several potential issues were raised.

Residents said parking availability is an issue downtown. There were also questions about stormwater runoff and water depth for kayak launch at Walnut Street.

Among the suggestions was the need for covering over swings and other amenities where possible to provide shade.

Hatchell said the ideas are just that and the public’s input is valuable in developing the plans.

“We provide a vision and the public helps clarify that vision,” Hatchell said.

Town Commissioner Larry Philpott, who chairs the waterfront committee, said there are other plans, such as the parking study underway, that may overlap with the work being done.